If there was ever any doubt about AB de Villiers’ status as the world’s No.1 ranked one-day international batsman, it was surely blown to smithereens at the SCG on Friday.
The crowd might have come expecting to see Chris Gayle produce another swashbuckling innings after the West Indian star blasted a tournament record 215 against Zimbabwe in Canberra earlier in the week.
Instead they watched hurricane de Villiers lay waste to the West Indies attack for the second time in little more than a month,
de Villiers notched the fastest ever ODI 50 and 100 against West Indies in Johannesburg in January, and on Friday added the quickest ever 150 to his growing list of records.
He finished 162 not out off 66 balls, smashing 17 fours and eight sixes.
Those bare bones statistics don’t begin to hint at the majesty of his innings.
de Villiers thrilled the crowd with an audacious array of improvised strokeplay in addition to some lusty power hitting and perfect placement.
He offered a couple of chances to fieldsmen near the end of his mighty knock, but by then the West indies had been batted out of the contest.
They needed another big innings from Gayle, but they didn’t even get a cameo.
The power-hitting left-hander was bowled in the second over by recalled paceman Kyle Abbott, having scored just three off four balls.
de Villiers then drew more kudos by taking a fine running and diving catch to dismiss Jonathan Carter, as the West Indies lost their first five wickets for 53. ranked one-day international batsman, it was surely blown to smithereens at the SCG on Friday.
The crowd might have come expecting to see Chris Gayle produce another swashbuckling innings after the West Indian star blasted a tournament record 215 against Zimbabwe in Canberra earlier in the week.
Instead they watched hurricane de Villiers lay waste to the West Indies attack for the second time in little more than a month,
de Villiers notched the fastest ever ODI 50 and 100 against West Indies in Johannesburg in January, and on Friday added the quickest ever 150 to his growing list of records.
He finished 162 not out off 66 balls, smashing 17 fours and eight sixes.
Those bare bones statistics don’t begin to hint at the majesty of his innings.
de Villiers thrilled the crowd with an audacious array of improvised strokeplay in addition to some lusty power hitting and perfect placement.
He offered a couple of chances to fieldsmen near the end of his mighty knock, but by then the West indies had been batted out of the contest.
They needed another big innings from Gayle, but they didn’t even get a cameo.
The power-hitting left-hander was bowled in the second over by recalled paceman Kyle Abbott, having scored just three off four balls.
de Villiers then drew more kudos by taking a fine running and diving catch to dismiss Jonathan Carter, as the West Indies lost their first five wickets for 53.
You were very complimentary of AB during the live blog yesterday
ChrisB
Guest
He's a great player, and Aussies always respect that. What I'm not respecting in this World Cup is the almost total dominance if bat over ball. Something has to be done now to reduce, not just restrict, bat sizes, and pitches have to be livened or dusted up. I hate, whoever is batting, seeing mishits fly for 6, and seeing lifeless flat tracks that allow tai lenders to bat like Lara or Ponting.
xavialonso
Roar Rookie
You are absolutely right Kathleen. I think its a double standard with the Aussies when it comes to foreign players excelling. When AB scored the fastest ODI hundred, some downplayed it saying it was only against the Windies. But if Warner, Finch or Maxwell did the same thing against similar opposition, they would immediately be labelled as heroes. In the recent test series between Aus and India, some equated Steve Smiths heroics with the likes of Bradman. Yet Kohli faced more difficult bowlers in Johnson, Harris, and Hazlewood and scored equal 100s. I know that international sport is about patriotism in your country and your players. But it doesnt mean you blindly go about exaggerating their achievements and downplaying similar performances of players of other countries. This is an Aussie problem and it is totally unacceptable. Rant over.
Kevin
Guest
Mmmmmm.........wonder what happened to all the guys saying that his previous records was only because at the Wanderers?? So this time did it at SCG.......not a word!
Jo M
Guest
Since when Kathleen. I don't think I have ever seen a negative comment about ABD, in fact most talk about how outstanding he is. You come on here all the time spouting your garbage against the Australian team when I bet you don't even watch them or know any of them.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Well the "I'm an inferior Kiwi" brigade didn't take long...
Clark
Guest
Waiting for the "do it against Australia" brigade...
Renegade
Roar Guru
Where did that come from and what makes you say that? I'm an Australian and I loved watching AB bat yesterday..... in fact, I've stated he is the best batsman in the world by a long way numerous times over the past couple months. Do you want us to build a statue for him outside the SCG or something?? Geez... what a bizarre comment.
kathleen lopes
Guest
Strange how Oz commentators hate it when a good player from another country excels. Had it been an Australian or perhaps a West Indian well then La di da what a hero etc. etc. Australians are poor sportsmen - ungracious in defeat and really nasty in victory.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Nope...loved it. Just wanted to see AB whacking sixes of every ball, which, in the end he just about did. More boring is when sides have 30 overs to get the remaining 40 runs with 9 or 10 wickets left and do so at 1 an over.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Anybody else get bored watching the end of SA innings. When the contest between bat and ball is so one sided for so long it becomes tedious.
Vistro
Guest
The day is not far when a bowler would walk up to AB De Villiers and tell him "Man, this is not a video game! We are not playing EA Sports!"
Vistro
Guest
one has to feel sorry whoever is tasked to bowl to Ab the robot if he is switched on.